The seventh planet from the sun emits X-rays, a scientific study revealed.
Astronomers examined two images of Uranus and discovered that it exhibits X-ray activity, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
The images were taken by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in 2002 and 2017 and showed a clear detection of X-rays in the first image and a possible flare in the second.
The cause for the planet emitting X-ray light is most likely due to the sun, as scientists already know Jupiter and Saturn scatter X-rays given off by the sun.
RUSSIA AND CHINA PLANNING A MOON BASE TOGETHER
It is not clear as to whether there is another cause for the X-ray light. There are “tantalizing hints” that at least one other source of the X-rays is present, coming from the planet itself, according to a NASA press release.
“If further observations confirm this, it could have intriguing implications for understanding Uranus,” NASA said in a press release. “One possibility is that the rings of Uranus are producing X-rays themselves, which is the case for Saturn’s rings.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Studying X-ray emissions can provide insight into a planet’s characteristics, such as clues about the “atmospheric, surface and planetary ring composition,” NASA said.
